Here is what I learned today:


New Ideas I learned about Volcanoes:

I) I learned that volcanoes come in many shapes, sizes, and degrees of explosive force, but most can be divided into 3 common categories, stratovolcano, cinder cone, and shield. The stratovolcano is built upon layer of mostly viscous magma, have relatively steep sides and can grow to great heights. They are picturesque, but have potential for violent eruptions. Italy's Mt. Vesuvius, which destroyed the city of Pompeii in 79 AD was a stratovolcano. Mt. St. Helens is the well known volcano in the United States today. The second type of volcano is the cinder cone. This volcano is relatively small, less than 1,000 feet in height, but has very steep sides and a cylindrical shape. It is built from pieces of ejected rock fragments. When they erupt lava it usually flows from the summit, but from a breach in the side of the base of the volcano. Italy's Stromboli and Mexico's Paricutin are the most famous cinder cone volcano's today. The third type of volcano is the shield volcano and it is a massive structure with broad, gently sloping sides that usually build up from the sea floor. They are the largest on Earth, build from layer upon layer of fluid, that can flow long distances before cooling. These volcanoes are island builders and the largest one is Mauna Loa, located in Hawaii.
2) Another that I have learned today about volcanoes is that they are a geological landform, usually a mountain, where magma (rocks of Earth's interior made molten of liquid by high pressure and temperature) erupts through the surface of the planet. The magma is the liquid rock inside the volcano and the lava is the liquid rock (magma) that flows out of the volcano and can get between 700-1200 degrees celsius.
3) Volcano comes from the Roman God of fire, Vulcan, who was said to have a forge (place to melt and shape iron) on Vulcano, an active volcano in the Lipari Islands, Italy.
4) Most famous hot spots on Earth for volcanoes are on the Hawaiian Islands.

Navigational Strategy:
1) One navigational strategy is to look at the headings or words in the bold and/or big text on the main page of the website. This usually links you to the information you need.
2) Another navigational strategy is to look for a menu, which is usually located on any of the sides of the website page. It usually has topics with links to connect you to the page.
3) Another navigational strategy is to look at video's or pop-ups that are usually on the main page. This usually gives you a preview of what the website has.

Reliable Source:

1) One reliable source I found through exploring was kids.discovery.com. This is a credible website because it is part of the well-known, a credited research production of Discovery. It contains a copyright on the website, with experts relying the information, and all of the information has been researched.
2) Another reliable source I found was nationalgeographic.com. This is a credible website because it is a well known, published organization. The information has been researched and the people relying the information are experts. National Geographic

Informational Feature:

1) One informational feature that I found useful and developmentally appropriate for fourth graders who are studying this topic, was on the website Discovery Kids, which contained pictures and short descriptions of the different types of volcanoes, along with examples of volcanoes that exist today.
2) Another informational feature that I found useful was pictures of volcanoes with all of the different parts labeled and described.



Lesson Idea

Internet Researcher: Date:
Exploring Volcanoes

Description: This internet workshop will further explore the topic of volcanoes. You will have the opportunity to explore two important resources on the Internet and through researching you will be able to make connections to what you have read about the volcano in Vacation under the Volcano. These resources will you give you a better understanding of volcanoes, something that played a major part in the book we have just read. You have learned about Mt. Vesuvius, a volcano that existed many years ago, but now you will also learn about volcanoes that still exist today. As you are exploring these websites, look at the following questions and answer them based on the given website.

Types of Volcanoes
Go to the bookmark I have set for Discovery Kids (http://kids.discovery.com/games/pompeii/pompeii.html) and enter the website by clicking the “ENTER” button in the middle of the page. Explore the three links on the left hand site of the page, underneath the “Menu” Heading, followed by “Overview”.

1) Explore the three different types of volcanoes and list all of them below. Then pick one that interests you and write at least three describing details about it. Also, discover what type of volcano we read about in Vacation under the Volcano was and write it below.


2) For each of the three different types of volcanoes, name one volcano that exists today for each type and its location, if available. Write the name, location and date of the famous volcano we read about it Vacation under the Volcano.

Critical Thinking
Go to the bookmark I have set for Volcano! Mountain of Fire (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0312/) and enter by clicking the red “ENTER” button when you scroll down. Hit the “ENTER” button on the next page, and then continue at your own pace by clicking the arrows forward. Explore the slide show, read the information, look at the pictures, and then answer the following questions.

3) Read through the different ways volcanoes can erupt and look at the pictures. Explain them briefly, think about the different ways, and then write which way you think Mt. Vesuvius erupted and why.

4) Read about why the volcano Kilauea has made history. List at least two facts as examples of why it has made history. Then think about the volcano Mt. Vesuvius, and explain why you think this volcano is famous and its eruption has made history.

Evaluation Rubric
8 points- You answered all of the parts of the question correctly (1pt) and making relevant connections to Vacation under the Volcano (1pt). (2 points each =8)
2 points-You shared your information to the class, helping us to better understand volcanoes.
10 Points-Total